Lazebna Marina Volodymyrivna

Minister of Social Policy under Zelensky

Marina Volodymyrivna Lazebna (born June 10, 1975, Piskivka, Kyiv region) — Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine (March 2020 – July 2022), Candidate of Economic Sciences. Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (1998, economist-manager). Husband — lawyer Ihor Lazebnyi.

Career rise under Yanukovych

In May 2013, President Yanukovych appointed Lazebna head of the State Employment Service of Ukraine. Less than a year later — in March 2014 — the Yatsenyuk government liquidated this agency. After that, Lazebna registered as a private entrepreneur and engaged in "consulting on commercial management issues." In August 2019, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed her again — now as head of the State Social Service, but in October the Honcharuk government dismissed her. Zelensky personally proposed Lazebna's candidacy for the ministry — directly at the "Servant of the People" faction meeting.

Apartment in Russia and ties to Akhmetov

The declaration records an apartment of 31.7 sq. m in the Russian Federation (location unspecified), three apartments in Kyiv, another apartment in the suburbs, part of a residential house, and a plot of land. Her husband owns an Audi Q7, and their son a Lexus RX 200T, both 2017 models. Media associate Lazebna with oligarch Rinat Akhmetov: in 2015, the Opposition Bloc, which he is connected to, allegedly lobbied for her appointment as Minister of Social Policy.

Non-payments to the unemployed and resignation without explanation

Back in 2012, when Lazebna headed the Employment Service, the unemployed did not receive payments for three months. Minister Korolevska referred to Lazebna’s report stating that "all payments were made." Lazebna herself refused to comment. On July 18, 2022, the Parliament dismissed her — 277 votes in favor. The reasons for the resignation were not publicly disclosed.